Lane county SVG Inc.

FAQ's

What is a Mission?A mission is any event for which Search & Rescue is called out. It could be an urban or rural search, a rescue or a recovery.

How are Search & Rescue Members Alerted of a Mission?Once 911 has received a call, it gets transferred to the Coordinator of Lane County Search & Rescue. Once the mission is accepted by the Coordinator, A request is sent out for the SAR resources needed to accomplish the mission. Those members that are available will respond to the mission.

How many people are in the Special Vehicles Group?There are about a dozen and a half active volunteers including the group Coordinator.

Does Search & Rescue do body recoveries?Yes we do; however, volunteers are not asked to do anything they are uncomfortable doing.

Does the Special Vehicles Group go anywhere in Oregon?Our primary response area is anywhere within Lane County, however, other counties or states may call Lane County Search & Rescue for our assistance and if approved by the Search Coordinator, we will assist in any way we can.

What is your most common rescue?Most rescues are lost, overdue, or stranded people and medical emergencies.

If I join Search & Rescue, do I get to arrest people?No. We are not police officers.

ServicesDo we have to wait until it is a life or death emergency to call Search & Rescue?No. Call when you suspect there might be a problem. We can then get help to you faster.

Who do I call if I get lost or injured in the wilderness?Call 911. They will contact the Sheriff’s Office.

How long do you wait until you go looking for someone?We don't have a waiting period. Once it has been determined that someone is missing, injured, or can’t get out by themselves, we call our search resources immediately. There is no 24 hour waiting period.

Do you guys do searches and/or rescues at night?Yes, we go as soon as we know there is an emergency. And most of our calls occur during dark and/or inclement weather.

How much do you charge to rescue someone?Special Vehicles Group does not charge for its services. However, if other services are needed, such as medics or tow trucks, we have no control over what they may charge.